HONOLULU — Hurricane Lowell remained a powerful Category 3 storm late Saturday with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph about 610 miles south-southwest of Lihue, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. HST advisory.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau. A Hurricane Watch covers portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals. Lowell is expected to turn north Sunday and pass west of Kauai County late Monday into early Tuesday while still a powerful hurricane.
Heavy rain is forecast to begin affecting the Hawaiian Islands Sunday afternoon through early next week, with flash-flood and mudslide risk especially on Kauai and parts of the Big Island. Large swells are expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents across portions of the islands for several days.
Sources: National Hurricane Center; NBC News.
